Post by eCkS on Apr 6, 2004 2:09:18 GMT -5
The Hyundai Excel DOHC 1.5-litre was a significant member of the hot hatch segment back in the late '90s - and even more significant for establishing an image for Hyundai in Australia - but ever since the $14,000-odd high 9-second 0 - 100 km/h performer fell from the market it seems that niche has gone largely unfilled.
But all that may change if some red blooded people within Hyundai Australia get their way!
Seen here is a prototype version of the Getz FX... that's turbocharged! If the 11-second 0 - 100 performance of the stock Getz FX 5-speed isn't enough to ring your bell, chances are a turbo induced boost of power will!
Hyundai Australia's Richard Power says the Getz has the sharpest, most contemporary look of any vehicle in the range and it was the logical choice to put together a promotional/market test vehicle. "We really want to appeal to younger male buyers," says Richard.
Pop the bonnet and you'll see the same 16-valve, 10.0:1 compression Alpha-series 1.5-litre four fitted to any other Getz FX (and as debuted in the popular X3 Excel). Peer around that custom stainless exhaust manifold shield, though, and you'll spy a practical-sized GT25 Garrett ball-bearing turbocharger. The manifold, interestingly enough, is cast iron and was developed by David Alexander of Sydney's Silverwater Auto.
With no internal mods done to the motor, boost pressure is kept fairly low - about 8 psi - but the overall drivability/performance package is very well balanced. Hot and cold weather performance is provided by a front-mount air-to-air intercooler which makes the most of the available space; this is another product of Silverwater's David Alexander. A Bosch blow-off valve vents back to the atmospheric side of the compressor, where you'll find a modified version of the factory airbox. Exhaust flow is relatively restriction-free thanks to a 2½-inch aftermarket cat and, from there back, a revised version of the exhaust fitted to Hyundai's experimental turbocharged Accent (see "Accent on Performance"). The exhaust note is sure to appeal to younger buyers - it has a distinctive sporty rasp to it.
Interestingly, the engine management system has been swapped to an Autronic SMC programmable system firing upsized Bosch injectors. The ignition system retains the factory direct-fire configuration, except with iridium-tipped spark plugs. Richard tells us a lot of work has been done to ensure good drivability. Elantra rally driver Stewart Reid (of SR Automotive, Queensland) performed much of the tuning and engine assembly.
At the time of writing, the car was yet to show its worth on a chassis dyno, but - going by the previous turbocharged 1.5 Accent - it's fair to guess this Getz is now making somewhere in the vicinity of 50 percent more power than standard. In other words, we're talking about 111kW at the flywheel (factory is 74kW)...
The massively boosted power and torque is channelled through a Hyundai Accent flywheel, clutch and pressure plate combo, which is beefier than found in the Getz. The 5-speed manual transaxle, meanwhile, remains standard apart from being rebuilt with new synchros and carefully-checked tolerances. No problems yet - and none are expected.
The turbo Getz was also the vehicle that Whiteline Suspension used to develop their Getz handling upgrade kit. As fitted to the car, the kit comprises 25mm lowered progressive rate springs, Koni Sport adjustable dampers, upgrade front and rear swaybars (20 and 22mm in diameter respectively) and a front camber adjustment kit. Certainly, there are no problems entering a corner with the extra speed that the turbo kit provides.
Oh, and don't forget those whopper brakes!
While the Australian Getz line-up does without the disc rear option available in other countries, the turbo car gets massive 280 x 26mm DBA slotted and drilled rear discs and even more massive 330 x 28mm slotted and drilled discs and twin-pot aluminium calipers on the front! RaceBrakes are responsible for changing to a suitable master cylinder, street-legal braided lines and, of course, RaceBrakes pads.
This represents a monumental increase in braking capacity - we're effectively talking Commodore 'sports' anchors in a sub-1000kg hatch!
To allow clearance for those massive brakes, the wheel arches are filled by 17 x 7 Lenso Fusion rims clad in 215/35(!) Silverstone rubbers. Ride quality remains surprisingly good, given the low aspect ratio of the tyres.
The big boots an' slammed suspension is topped off by the mean factory black paint, tinted windows and an Astrel FX bodykit (Astrel options being available though Hyundai dealers). This ABS plastic kit comprises front, side and rear body extensions in addition to a roof spoiler with LED brakelight.
To ensure maximum display impact, the interior has been treated to quality Marigold Astral leather coverings on the seats, door and side trims. The same leather has been applied to the Momo tiller, Momo gear knob boot and Momo aluminium pedals. Looks good, don't it?
Music beats are pushed out from an Alpine MP3 head unit to the standard 6-speakers - the high-power Alpine head unit providing high clarity and surprising SPLs.
So where to from here for the turbo Getz, you ask?
Well, first, you can't yet wander into your local dealer, sign up and expect to take delivery in a couple of weeks. The plan is for the motoring media to let loose in the thing and for it to do the car show circuit. "We want to gauge public interest and then take that information to Hyundai's head office," says Richard.
"There's a bit of movement at the station in regard to low volume performance models..."
ohhh my GOSH.... man i wish Hyundai sold this car here( DROOLING )....i would of seriously considered this before getting my Sonata.... if they sold it here that is
But all that may change if some red blooded people within Hyundai Australia get their way!
Seen here is a prototype version of the Getz FX... that's turbocharged! If the 11-second 0 - 100 performance of the stock Getz FX 5-speed isn't enough to ring your bell, chances are a turbo induced boost of power will!
Hyundai Australia's Richard Power says the Getz has the sharpest, most contemporary look of any vehicle in the range and it was the logical choice to put together a promotional/market test vehicle. "We really want to appeal to younger male buyers," says Richard.
Pop the bonnet and you'll see the same 16-valve, 10.0:1 compression Alpha-series 1.5-litre four fitted to any other Getz FX (and as debuted in the popular X3 Excel). Peer around that custom stainless exhaust manifold shield, though, and you'll spy a practical-sized GT25 Garrett ball-bearing turbocharger. The manifold, interestingly enough, is cast iron and was developed by David Alexander of Sydney's Silverwater Auto.
With no internal mods done to the motor, boost pressure is kept fairly low - about 8 psi - but the overall drivability/performance package is very well balanced. Hot and cold weather performance is provided by a front-mount air-to-air intercooler which makes the most of the available space; this is another product of Silverwater's David Alexander. A Bosch blow-off valve vents back to the atmospheric side of the compressor, where you'll find a modified version of the factory airbox. Exhaust flow is relatively restriction-free thanks to a 2½-inch aftermarket cat and, from there back, a revised version of the exhaust fitted to Hyundai's experimental turbocharged Accent (see "Accent on Performance"). The exhaust note is sure to appeal to younger buyers - it has a distinctive sporty rasp to it.
Interestingly, the engine management system has been swapped to an Autronic SMC programmable system firing upsized Bosch injectors. The ignition system retains the factory direct-fire configuration, except with iridium-tipped spark plugs. Richard tells us a lot of work has been done to ensure good drivability. Elantra rally driver Stewart Reid (of SR Automotive, Queensland) performed much of the tuning and engine assembly.
At the time of writing, the car was yet to show its worth on a chassis dyno, but - going by the previous turbocharged 1.5 Accent - it's fair to guess this Getz is now making somewhere in the vicinity of 50 percent more power than standard. In other words, we're talking about 111kW at the flywheel (factory is 74kW)...
The massively boosted power and torque is channelled through a Hyundai Accent flywheel, clutch and pressure plate combo, which is beefier than found in the Getz. The 5-speed manual transaxle, meanwhile, remains standard apart from being rebuilt with new synchros and carefully-checked tolerances. No problems yet - and none are expected.
The turbo Getz was also the vehicle that Whiteline Suspension used to develop their Getz handling upgrade kit. As fitted to the car, the kit comprises 25mm lowered progressive rate springs, Koni Sport adjustable dampers, upgrade front and rear swaybars (20 and 22mm in diameter respectively) and a front camber adjustment kit. Certainly, there are no problems entering a corner with the extra speed that the turbo kit provides.
Oh, and don't forget those whopper brakes!
While the Australian Getz line-up does without the disc rear option available in other countries, the turbo car gets massive 280 x 26mm DBA slotted and drilled rear discs and even more massive 330 x 28mm slotted and drilled discs and twin-pot aluminium calipers on the front! RaceBrakes are responsible for changing to a suitable master cylinder, street-legal braided lines and, of course, RaceBrakes pads.
This represents a monumental increase in braking capacity - we're effectively talking Commodore 'sports' anchors in a sub-1000kg hatch!
To allow clearance for those massive brakes, the wheel arches are filled by 17 x 7 Lenso Fusion rims clad in 215/35(!) Silverstone rubbers. Ride quality remains surprisingly good, given the low aspect ratio of the tyres.
The big boots an' slammed suspension is topped off by the mean factory black paint, tinted windows and an Astrel FX bodykit (Astrel options being available though Hyundai dealers). This ABS plastic kit comprises front, side and rear body extensions in addition to a roof spoiler with LED brakelight.
To ensure maximum display impact, the interior has been treated to quality Marigold Astral leather coverings on the seats, door and side trims. The same leather has been applied to the Momo tiller, Momo gear knob boot and Momo aluminium pedals. Looks good, don't it?
Music beats are pushed out from an Alpine MP3 head unit to the standard 6-speakers - the high-power Alpine head unit providing high clarity and surprising SPLs.
So where to from here for the turbo Getz, you ask?
Well, first, you can't yet wander into your local dealer, sign up and expect to take delivery in a couple of weeks. The plan is for the motoring media to let loose in the thing and for it to do the car show circuit. "We want to gauge public interest and then take that information to Hyundai's head office," says Richard.
"There's a bit of movement at the station in regard to low volume performance models..."
ohhh my GOSH.... man i wish Hyundai sold this car here( DROOLING )....i would of seriously considered this before getting my Sonata.... if they sold it here that is
